Pakistan has not officially discussed hosting Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel as part of the Gaza ceasefire. The ceasefire includes significant terms like prisoner exchanges and troop withdrawals. Escalating conflict has resulted in many casualties and mass displacements in Gaza since October 2023. Pakistan advocates for Palestinian independence and does not recognize Israel.
ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that Pakistan has not officially discussed hosting Palestinian prisoners recently freed by Israel. This announcement follows a February 3 statement from Hamas spokesperson Dr. Khaled Qaddoumi, indicating that Pakistan had agreed to host 15 of these prisoners as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal reached on January 15.
The ceasefire agreement is intended to end a 15-month-long war in Gaza and includes components such as prisoner exchanges, gradual Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza, and the return of displaced Palestinians. During a weekly press briefing, Khan remarked that without formal discussions at the foreign ministry level, any comments on this subject would be speculation.
Earlier, fifteen Palestinian prisoners were reported to have arrived in Turkiye after being deported from Egypt, as confirmed by both the Turkish foreign minister and Hamas prisoners media office. As part of the ceasefire, Hamas committed to releasing 33 Israeli hostages, while Israel has agreed to release 30 Palestinian detainees for each civilian hostage and 50 for each female soldier released by Hamas.
So far, the truce has seen Hamas release 18 hostages, with Israel corresponding by releasing 583 Palestinian detainees, of whom at least 79 were sent to Egypt. Ongoing discussions aim to finalize the second phase of the truce, which involves the release of remaining Israeli hostages and a complete Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza.
The Palestinian territories, which include Gaza and the West Bank, have been under Israeli occupation since 1967. The conflict escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, after a Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in about 1,200 Israeli casualties and led to mass displacement in Gaza. Over 47,000 Palestinians have died in the subsequent Israeli military response, marking this as the bloodiest conflict in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
Pakistan maintains a policy of non-recognition of Israel and advocates for an independent Palestinian state based on what it terms “internationally agreed parameters.”
The situation surrounding the Gaza conflict involves complex geopolitical dynamics, particularly relating to the hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Since 1967, the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank have been areas of contention, with Israel maintaining military control. The latest conflict escalated sharply in October 2023, drawing widespread international attention and highlighting Pakistan’s firm stance on Palestinian independence and rights concerning Israeli occupation.
In conclusion, the Foreign Office of Pakistan has not engaged in any official discussions regarding the hosting of Palestinian prisoners, which remains a speculative topic. The ongoing ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations illustrate the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with significant humanitarian implications for both sides. Pakistan’s non-recognition of Israel continues to shape its foreign policy regarding Palestine and broader Middle Eastern relations.
Original Source: www.arabnews.pk
